Hollywood Is Seriously Digging Blue Eyeshadow Right Now

A lot of people refer to the ’90s as the golden decade for style and beauty inspo, but with all due respect, we’ve got to give the early 2000s its props. After all, those are the years that gave us 100-layer lip gloss, the tiniest crop tops known to man, and a whole lot of denim. And then there’s blue eyeshadow. Our favorite pop stars (like Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera) wore it thick, pastel, and frosty — a technique that’s unfortunately immortalized in many of our own embarrassing yearbook photos.

Recently, celebs have been bringing back the blue shadow — only this time in deeper, more modern shades of royal blue in a variety of shapes and finishes. It’s the furthest thing from no-makeup makeup, and we couldn’t be happier about it. “I think fashion trends are moving away from minimalism,” celebrity makeup artist Nick Barose tells us. “You see bolder colors, prints and embellished items… so, in turn, you see fun, colorful, and decorative makeup like blue shadow really coming back in a big way.”

Check out the coolest iterations of the trend, and how to pull them off yourself, ahead.

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Models wore Picasso-inspired, Technicolor eyeshadow at the Rodarte show during spring 2019’s New York Fashion Week. Nars makeup artist James Kaliardos smeared a bright aqua eyeshadow shade called Baby Jane across the lid to pull off the trending look.

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“When wearing the shade, I think you just have to go for it,” Barose says. “It’s not the kind of color you wear and be shy about.” Leave it to Janelle Monáe to lead the way with this look created by makeup artist Jessica Smalls.

When we asked Barose which types of blues work for different skin tones, he told us to throw that rule right out the window. “It shouldn’t be about skin tones when it comes to bright colors,” he says. “Anything goes. You’re wearing it to get noticed.”

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Issa Rae (who had her glam done by makeup artist Joanna Simkin) opted for a nude lipstick to complement her eyes. “This is a dope look with more muted lips,” Barose notes. “Go easy on other elements like mascara and liner, and the fake lashes. That makes it look dated.”

It’s also important to think about your base. Barose suggests going for fresh, dewy skin (instead of matte) for a look that feels more modern.